In this episode of Inside the C-Suite, Christy sits down with Stacey Cohen, CEO of Co-Communications, TEDx speaker, and bestselling author of Brand Up. From launching her first business at age 14 in thrift-store uniforms to running an award-winning PR firm for 25+ years, Stacey brings the kind of wisdom that only comes from building it brick by brick - and brand by brand.

Together, they break down the real work of visibility, self-definition, and leadership in an age of automation, oversaturation, and self-doubt.

Tune in to hear:

Why being a twin fueled Stacey’s obsession with individuality - and how she turned it into a mission

How she helps teens, job seekers, and CEOs answer the million-dollar question: “Why should someone choose you?”

The one branding mistake that derails even the smartest professionals - and how to fix it fast

Why AI may write your resume, but it won’t build your relationships

How to make networking feel human again (even if you hate it)

If you’re navigating career shifts, launching your own thing, or simply trying to figure out how to be seen - this episode is a tactical, heart-centered playbook for showing up and standing out.

Because if you don’t tell your story, someone else will. 

And they won’t get it right.

Chapters:

00:00:00 - Meet Stacey Cohen: CEO, Author, Brand Builder  

00:02:16 - Building a Full-Service Brand Agency from the Ground Up  

00:03:12 - Entrepreneurial Fire Starts Early  

00:06:10 - Reframing Entrepreneurship Beyond Business Ownership  

00:08:20 - From Twin Identity to Personal Brand Clarity  

00:12:36 - Embracing Your Uniqueness in a World of Comparison  

00:13:56 - How to Show Up Authentically in Corporate Culture  

00:14:23 - Rethinking Personal Branding - It’s Not About Ego  

00:15:57 - The $1M Question: Why Should Someone Choose You?  

00:17:31 - Career Equity Starts with Brand Integrity  

00:18:20 - Finding Your Value Through Self and Peer Reflection  

00:19:47 - Control the Narrative - Manage Your Digital Presence  

00:22:25 - AI and Branding: Use It, Don’t Be Replaced by It  

00:24:52 - Relationships > Resumes: The Truth About Hiring  

00:26:29 - Networking Without the Cringe  

00:28:36 - Connection Begins with Giving, Not Selling  

00:30:25 - LinkedIn Strategy That Actually Works  

00:32:20 - Why Everyone Needs a Brand - Even if You’re Not Job Hunting  

00:33:22 - Stacey’s 3-Part Framework for Purpose and Visibility  

00:36:46 - Turn Your Value into Visibility  

00:39:09 - The Power of Peer Validation and Team Alignment

Curious about Brand Up?

It isn’t just a book - it’s a wake-up call. Brand Up is for anyone ready to stop playing small and start owning the room, whether that room is a college admissions office, a job interview, or a boardroom.

Stacey cuts through the noise with tools that actually work - and more importantly, with the mindset shift that changes everything. 

Because the world doesn’t slow down to notice you. 

You have to make it look twice.

If you’ve been waiting for a sign to step into who you are and lead with it - this is it.

| Connect with Us |

Learn more about Co-Communications:

https://cocommunications.com/

Follow Stacey Cohen:

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/staceycohen2/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/staceyrosscohen/

(She’s the real deal: CEO of Co-Communications, Award-Winning Author, TEDx Speaker, and Brand Builder on a Mission)

Follow Inside the C-Suite:

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/cwiseman/

Subscribe on Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/show/2gk39EvNtXLVHuAbp7tr6b

Subscribe on Apple – https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/inside-the-c-suite/id1739883160

Want to be on the show or know someone who might? 

Contact Form – https://forms.gle/B1fVXPSV6b3x3AsS9Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices